Conflict of interest concerns raised over Deloitte’s university merger contract

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA — The University of Adelaide’s decision to award Deloitte a multi-million dollar contract to manage its proposed merger with the University of South Australia has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

According to InDaily, Deloitte was appointed the “integration and transformation partner” for the merger after a tender process from July to September 2022. 

However, Deloitte’s former Asia-Pacific CEO David Hill was a University of Adelaide council member who voted for the merger in June 2022. 

Both the university and Deloitte deny any conflict, stating Hill was not involved in Deloitte’s winning bid.

The National Tertiary Education Union has questioned the transparency of the appointment process and whether Deloitte had prior insider knowledge. The universities cite commercial confidentiality in not disclosing consultant details.

The state government has committed AU$444.5 million to support the merger planned for January 2026. A parliamentary inquiry will deliver its merger report on October 17.

Deloitte Australia has faced recent scrutiny over executive pay and misconduct. In July 2022, CEO Adam Powick admitted at a public hearing that his AU$3.5 million salary was excessive compared to public service roles. This occurred amid a broader inquiry into the operations and ethical practices of major consulting firms in Australia.

Deloitte, a global professional services firm, offers internships and co-delivers undergraduate courses at the University of Adelaide. The university is South Australia’s oldest with over 27,000 students.